foremost, thanks sarah. (= (and kate, too! you are both awesome) it's been quite a day. everything pretty much snowballed downhill, though i kept trying to push it back up. it didn't work. at all. as atypical as this is, i've got to say some things about mike and his behaviour lately. i never complain otherwise, but today was exceptionally negative. tonight, mike had to go in early to work for an interview regarding the promotion. it's apparently 'just a formality,' so it's safe to assume, i'm told, that he has the job. this should be a positive change, but it's turning out to be quite the opposite. he was an 'acting' night manager awhile back and didn't like it one bit. as a direct result, he told me if he was ever offered the permanent position, he probably wouldn't take it. i was actually a bit glad to hear that at the time because of how radically it had affected his mood. this offer just popped up and he took it without really saying much to me. of course, i realise it's completely his decision, and i would be happy for him if -he- were happy about it. however, he's been so cross ever since this thing was initiated, i'm not sure how this is going to play out. he cannot spend every moment being angry at the world, yet he feels he has every right to do so. there are plenty of people with far worse jobs - and plenty WITHOUT jobs - that have much more to complain about, yet who are still happy; because it's him, however, it must be the worst situation ever imaginable. [sigh.] i'm really just smarting over this at the moment. i'm hoping things will calm down soon. he has to grow up a bit, though. he's got it far better than others, but he's got to learn to appreciate the good; otherwise, he's going to be depressed forever. i love him, and he's got a lot of great qualities. i just wish he could get over a few things; he gives himself too little credit, and that filters out into how others see and treat him. he deserves better than what he allows. in other news, we're due to find out whether we've got the flat or not by monday or tuesday. (= michael had to bring a pay stub to the office so they could verify his employment; i'm told the third party that does it is making things difficult. once that's all sent in, we should know the answer. still, it sounds promising, so i'm still keeping my hopes up in spite of my better judgement. i wouldn't be anything if not optimistic. (usually.) no word on what's going on yet tomorrow. since i knew mike was probably going to have a rough night tonight (eleven-hour shift and first night in charge), i'd asked earlier what he'd like to do. i suggested possibly a movie or going somewhere fun - bowling, something like that, but he just kept smarting about. i'm hoping he'll feel better when he gets home; any fun is better than none. sunday should be much better, though; we're going to visit mike's brother at college. he gets these free cafeteria passes that he can share with family. it might not initially sound particularly appetizing, but that place has got marvelous food. they've got such a variety and it's all really tasty. afterward, we'll head to my parents' house to talk about the trip. i'm hoping we can get some things set up so i can stop worrying so much about it. i also got a few travel tips today already from a friend, and my brother offered a few the other day. every little bit helps. (= i am worried a bit about money, though. i've got to buy new tires, as my current ones are nearly shot, and i'm -finally- back to work after it being canceled off and on for over a month; i've applied elsewhere but haven't anything much from that yet. i have enough in my account, but i don't want to drain it; we'll see what happens at christmas. i've asked for money to help for the trip, so perhaps i needn't worry so prematurely. (= i'm going to sell a few things, too, as i need to pare down anyway. anyone looking for a bass? =P